French House Plans With Mansard Roof

French country house plans are characterized by the extensive use brick stone or stucco exteriors and large hip or mansard roof lines.

French house plans with mansard roof.

Mansard roof at the louvre museum in paris france. The term second empire refers to the empire that louis napoleon napoleon iii established in france during the mid 1800s. During the renaissance in italy and france many buildings had. Decorative elements include towers and turrets with conical roofs topped by finials.

The emblem of the style is the distinctive mansard roof a device attributed to the 17th century french architect francois mansart 1598 1666. Mansart is remembered by architectural historians as the father of french classical architecture but he clearly had a practical nature as well. French country houses are a special type of european architecture defined by sophisticated brick stone and stucco exteriors beautiful multi paned windows and prominent roofs in either the hip or mansard style. More formal french country house plans may include corner quoins second floor balconies and intricate masonry and roofline detailing.

Single or continuous balconies are common. A cut stone exterior gives the chateauesque home an air of elegance. Formal examples of this type are normally large luxury homes that include balconies intricate masonry and details like corner quoins but there are also smaller plans in this collection that embody french country design principles in more compact. French house plans with mansard roof this architectural style originated in france and was popular during the late 19th century.

However the tall mansard roof that we associate with the style dates back to renaissance times. French country house plans. The steeply pitched mansard roof often with a railing or crest is a signature feature. These second empire french house plans from 1878 were designed for a cottage with a mansard or french roof.

Photo by kristy sparow getty images news getty images.